Don’t miss the opening of the exhibit by the current 40^th Street Artist-in-Residence Erik Ruin tonight at 6 p.m. at the 40^th Street A.I.R. Gallery (aka Airspace Gallery, 4007 Chestnut Street). Ruin will present a floor-to-ceiling installation of shadow projections and prints titled “For the Sake of Future Days.” The central theme of the exhibit is the exploration of hopes and anxieties for the future of the world in the midst of adversity and transformation.

The Artist-in-Residence Program was founded in 2003 to assist West Philly artists with their career development. It awards one year of free studio space at 40^th & Chestnut Streets.

The exhibit will run through April 29. Additional viewing hours are: April 15, 22, 29 at 3-7 p.m. For more information call 267-262-0208 or e-mail: erikruin(at)gmail.com.

Don’t, don’t, don’t forget the Go West! Craft Fest this Saturday at Cedar Park.

Go West! will run from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature a massive variety of handmade items, from sweet jewelry made from records or real fruit to West Philly inspired prints and painting. Profiles of selected vendors are available here.

The festival will also feature a kids program beginning at 3:30 p.m. with Jay Sands of All Around this World fame. Firehouse Bikes will sell used bikes all day long. Stop by the VIX Emporium afterward from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Young artists still have a couple of days to enter work in the Manga Art Show and reception at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (125 S. 52nd Street).

Young artists ages 10-18 interested in displaying their work in the show must submit pieces to the library by Friday, April 8.

The after school show and reception will be held Tuesday, April 12 at the library from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Manga (Japanese comics) have swept the nation (just ask any 10-year-old) and this show will celebrate those who read them and also draw them. Japanese refreshments will be served.

For more information call the library at 215-685-7433.

Penn’s Chinese Music Society is holding their annual spring concerts on Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall (3417 Houston Hall) on Penn’s campus.  Fifteen percent of the proceeds from the “Resonance of Spring” concert will go to the Japan Relief Fund.

Tickets for the concert are $7 at the door, $5 if bought from a vendor on Locust Walk this week or $4 for groups of five or more.

Thank the gods for the cool weather. It has arrived just in time for the 2nd annual University City Arts League (UCAL) Chili Bowl Sale and Cook Off.

Here’s how this thing works: Come to UCAL (4226 Spruce Street) on Sunday, March 27, from noon to 6 p.m., buy a hand-made chili bowl and fill it up with homemade chili. The one-of-a-kind bowl will cost you $20 and the chili is free. Wash down the chili with beer and ale donated by Yards Brewing Co. Wine and soft drinks will also be available.

This UCAL fundraiser is also a chili cooking competition. If you buy a bowl you can vote for the best chili. The winner receives 10 pottery classes to figure out how to make their own chili bowls.

Three local businesses – Colonial Pizza, Local 44 and Milk and Honey Market – are sponsoring the event.

The classic Japanese film Sansho – The Bailiff will screen at the International House (3701 Chestnut St.) tonight as part of the Cherry Blossom Festival. All proceeds will be donated to the Philadelphia- Japan Disaster Relief Fund.

Here is a description of the 1954 film from the International House website:

“When an idealistic governor disobeys the reigning feudal lord, he is cast into exile, his wife and children left to fend for themselves and eventually wrenched apart by vicious slave traders. Under Kenji Mizoguchi’s dazzling direction, this classic Japanese story became one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces: a monumental, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil.”

Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6 for students/seniors and $5 for Internationalist members.

All of the funds raised in the Philadelphia-Japan Disaster Relief Fund will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society in Japan.